Orexo, AstraZeneca Pick Up Where Janssen Left Off

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Orexo and AstraZeneca have partnered to advance Orexo's OX-CLI, a preclinical program for a potential treatment of respiratory diseases. OX-CLI—along with OX-ESI (another arachidonic acid-based advanced preclinical program) and a third, undisclosed Janssen Pharmaceutical program—had previously been the focus of a collaboration between Orexo and Janssen inked in June of 2010, one that potentially would have been worth over $595 million had it not been terminated one year ago.

Orexo is granting AstraZeneca rights to conduct further preclinical research and evaluation of compounds in the OX-CLI program. AstraZeneca also has an option to acquire the compounds pertaining to the program, under which Orexo will receive development milestones and royalties on future revenues.

“Our OX-CLI program is a promising R&D project, which has potential to improve the treatment of respiratory diseases for millions of patients,” says Orexo CEO Anders Lundström. “AstraZeneca, a leading global company within the inflammatory and respiratory area, is the optimal partner for OX-CLI and we look forward to see the project advancing.”